Councillor says agency has failed to take action over reservoir
ACAMPAIGNING councillor has accused the Environment Agency of failing to take action about the water quality at a reservoir.
For years local residents have raised concerns about the impact of Whitworth Quarry on Cowm Reservoir.
They say that the dust coming from the quarry has had a direct impact on the water quality in the reservoir.
Fairhurst Stone has a licence to extract stone from the Rossendale quarry which was granted by Lancashire County Council.
However, as the site and its operations, along with the issues raised, come under the jurisdiction of several local authorities and agencies including Rossendale Borough Council, the Environment Agency and United Utilities, residents have come across barriers to tackling the problem.
Earlier this month quarry manager Chris Ward said the company has spent tens of thousands of pounds on plans and surveys to look at tackling the discolouration of the water.
However, he said this was a “historical issue”, and that it is not directly linked to the quarry’s operations.
Whitworth Councillor Kim Olaolu said that she has been raising concerns with the authorities for years.
Cllr Olaolu said that since the Environment Agency inspected the reservoir almost two years ago “nothing has changed”.
“I care passionately about protecting our environment; we should be promoting biodiversity, managing waste water responsibly, engaging in restoration projects, protecting wildlife and practising sustainable land use,” she said.
“A quarry is detrimental to the landscape, it’s the nature of their business, however they should at least do everything in their power to ensure they are not creating additional environmental problems because of their works.”
Quarry manager Mr Ward added: “The dust isn’t created by the crushing but when it drops onto the stacker. We’ve had lots of meetings with United Utilities [the owner of the reservoir] to look at how we can resolve it.
“It’s historical and has been going on for 20 years since long before we began quarrying.”
The Observer raised Cllr Olaolu’s latest concerns with the Environment Agency.
A spokesperson referred us back to their statement issued earlier this month.
In it the EA said: “We understand community concerns around quarry operations and local water courses. Our top priority is to protect the environment.
“As a consultee in the planning process, led by Lancashire County Council, we are working with the operators of Cowm Quarry to provide advice and guidance on the proposed changes to their site water management system.
“If members of the public spot a pollution in a local watercourse, they can report it to our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”